LIMBO

LIMBO is a violin & piano sonata by Chloé Charody written for the unique acrobatic skill set of violin virtuoso Sonja Schebeck. Alongside pianist Chanda VanderHart, Sonja partners acrobat Josh Frazer in this ground-breaking interdisciplinary work to tell a poignant narrative through dynamic partner acrobatics, duo unicycle and cyr wheel, completely embracing contemporary circus and classical music in one captivating world.

Originally inspired by events surrounding the Australian government's policy of indefinite detention of asylum seekers, the work is increasingly resonating on a global scale. Unfolding as a series of 7 vignettes, each explores a different state of mind a person may go through when their life is in 'Limbo'. The sonata rollercoasts through emotions of anger, frustration, fantasy and escape, exploding with one of the greatest weapons against oppression: hope.

The Sonata had its premiere at Jacksons Lane, London on 14 December 2023, toured Australia with performances in Sydney and at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, before returning to Europe for performances including Ypres City of Wings Belgium, MUCH Festival Budapest, STERRRN Festival Graz, Kultursommer Wien, Krapoldi Festival Innsbruck and Edinburgh Fringe — where it was included in The Guardian's 'Top Ten Shows to see at Fringe'. 2025 performances included Winterfest x Altstadt Samstag Salzburg, Kultursommer Wien, Zwarte Cross Netherlands, Internationales Strassentheaterfestival Ludwigshafen and Melbourne Recital Centre — with Schebeck winning 'Best Circus Artist' at the My Melbourne Arts Awards. Upcoming 2026 shows include a showcase at Classical:Next Budapest, a return to Ypres City of Wings and a season at the Sydney Opera House in November.